Miles & Memories: Pune to Sirohi - March 2026

Long drives have always been more than just travel for me. Driving itself is a passion, the rhythm of the highway, the changing landscapes, the discipline (or sometimes the lack of it) on the road, and the quiet conversations between the car and the driver.

This particular journey was from Pune to Sirohi, Rajasthan, completed over two days, with an overnight halt in Vadodara. The drive offered everything, excellent expressways, chaotic highway stretches, beautiful scenery, and of course the nostalgia of reaching one's hometown.

Day 1: Pune to Vadodara

Starting the Journey

The drive began early in the morning from Pune, joining the iconic Pune - Mumbai Expressway. Even after driving on it multiple times, the expressway never disappoints. The wide lanes, disciplined traffic (compared to most highways), and the scenic Western Ghats make it one of the most enjoyable stretches for any driving enthusiast.

The first break was at the Food Court on the Pune–Mumbai Expressway for a quick refreshment stop.

Entering Mumbai’s Arterial Network

After exiting the expressway, the route moved through Mumbai’s major road network, passing through JNPT, Colaba, the Coastal Road, and eventually the Bandra-Worli Sea Link.

Driving through Mumbai always feels like a different experience altogether. The contrast between modern infrastructure and extremely dense traffic is striking.

A short halt was made at Fountain City Mall in outer Mumbai before continuing towards the national highway.

NH48 – A Challenging Stretch

Once on NH48, the real challenge of Indian highway driving began.

Despite being one of the most important highway corridors in India, this stretch reflects several issues that are unfortunately common across many highways:

• Lane discipline is almost non-existent.

• Bikers without helmets riding unpredictably.

• Two-wheelers sometimes riding in the extreme right lane, even on high-speed stretches.

• Small tempos, auto rikshas, and slow vehicles sharing the same space with fast-moving traffic.

• Road surface inconsistencies in several sections.

All of this makes maintaining a steady cruising speed difficult. For someone who genuinely enjoys driving, these conditions demand constant alertness.

Highways like this constantly remind you that patience is just as important as skill.

Lunch Stop - Outer Vapi

A lunch break was taken at a South Indian restaurant in outer Vapi, which turned out to be a refreshing pause before the long stretch ahead.

Transition to NE4 – A Visible Upgrade

One of the most noticeable moments of the journey was transitioning from NH48 to NE4 (Delhi–Mumbai Expressway section).

The difference was immediate and unmistakable:

• Much wider road infrastructure

• Better lane separation

• Restricted entry for slow vehicles like bikes, tempos, and carts

• Higher permitted speed limits

• More predictable traffic behavior

Driving suddenly became far more relaxed and enjoyable. The expressway feels designed for long-distance travel in the true sense.

Another short break was taken at the food area on NE4 before reaching Vadodara for the overnight stay.

There is also a lot of anticipation around the future extension of NE4, which is expected to make travel towards Ahmedabad and Northern India even smoother and faster.

The day concluded at a hotel in Vadodara, after a long but satisfying drive.

Day 2: Vadodara to Sirohi

The second day started on a much calmer note. Compared to the previous day, the drive felt smoother and more relaxed.

NE4 to NE1 Transition

The route continued on NE4, eventually transitioning to NE1 and then towards Sirohi.

If NE4 impressed with its scale, NE1 impressed with its beauty. What makes this stretch unique is the floral landscaping along both sides of the highway. Rows of flowers in different colors create an almost picturesque corridor for drivers.

Breaks Along the Way

A comfortable break was taken at a good restaurant after Mehsana for refreshments.

Later, a quick tea stop was made at the popular Baba Ramdev Restaurant, a familiar stop for many travelers on this route.

Approaching Sirohi – The Nostalgia

As the car moved closer to Sirohi, the feeling slowly changed from being a highway drive to something much more personal.

Hometowns have a different emotional pull.
No matter how many places you travel to, the roads leading back home always feel special. The final stretch into town carried that quiet nostalgia that only such journeys can bring.

Overall Driving Experience

The journey from Pune to Sirohi via Vadodara was largely smooth and enjoyable, especially thanks to the newer expressway sections.

However, it also highlighted a few persistent challenges on Indian highways:

Key Observations

• Lack of lane discipline

• Two-wheelers on high-speed corridors

• Right-lane hogging

• Uneven road surfaces on NH48

• Mixed traffic with very different speed profiles

Despite these issues, the expressway network (NE4 & NE1) shows how dramatically highway travel can improve when access is controlled and infrastructure is properly designed.

Journey Stats

• Total Distance: ~950 km (approx.)

• Day 1: Pune to Vadodara

• Day 2: Vadodara to Sirohi

• Major Roads Covered:

  • Pune - Mumbai Expressway

  • Mumbai city network (JNPT, Coastal Road, Sea Link)

  • NH48 (Mumbai to Kharel)

  • NE4 (Kharel to Vadodara)

  • NE1 (Vadodara to Ahmedabad)

  • NH41, NH27, NH62 (Ahmedabad - Sirohi)

For someone who truly enjoys driving, journeys like this are never just about reaching the destination. They are about observing the roads, the infrastructure, the people, and the changing landscapes.

And at the end of it all, arriving in your hometown makes every kilometer worth it.

Sirohi - The Kingdom